Alleged drug dealers due in court despite bribery attempt

Durban - Three alleged drug dealers are expected to appear in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court in Durban on Monday despite an attempt to bribe the arresting officers with R100 000, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

The three were arrested on Friday during a joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) provincial drug task team and the K9 unit, with the assistance of the police crime intelligence unit and the Durban metro police drug task team, Lt-Col Thulani Zwane said.

The arrested suspects, aged between 40 and 45, would appear in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of dealing in drugs. One of the three would face a further charge of bribery, he said.

"After several months of observations and conducting an undercover operation the members used their expertise and arrested the first suspect [on Friday] at Pelican Drive, Bayview area. He was found in possession of cocaine."

"On further investigation the suspect was taken to his house in the area where more cocaine as well as suspected powder were found to the street value of more than R500 000. Two more suspects were arrested in the house."

One of the suspects in the house attempted to bribe the officers to release the arrested suspects. She allegedly paid R100 000 cash to the officers, but they "refused to get involved in any corruption" and arrested her for bribery and the cash was seized, Zwane said.

KwaZulu-Natal acting police commissioner Maj-Gen Bheki Langa commended the police team for the recovery of the drugs and arresting the alleged drug dealers.

‘’We have a dedicated and committed team that is always willing to work extremely hard in eradicating drugs in our province. Those people who bribe our members, thinking that they will get away with crime, will find themselves in jail.

"We appeal to the community to support the team and provide valuable information about any drug dealers in their areas. The community members can make use of our Crime Stop number 08600-10111 to provide information to the police if they fear for their lives,” he said.